Chapter 5: Three Years Later

Year One of Zhenghe, 1111 A.D.
Somewhere in Henan Province.

A young man, standing nine feet tall with a commanding presence and around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, was wielding a three-pointed, double-edged blade in the snow.

Slash, chop, sweep, flick, cut, stab, press, hook, block, parry—the three-pointed blade danced in his hands with masterful skill, stirring up clouds of white snow around him while his clothes remained untouched by a single flake.

“Senior Brother, you’re amazing!”

Not far away, an eight or nine-year-old boy with a sturdy build watched the man’s practice intently, clapping enthusiastically at the impressive moves.

“You’ve wandered out again, Junior Brother. Be careful, or Master will punish you!”

The tall man, performing a set of blade techniques, turned and scooped up the boy in his arms.

“No way! Master said only Senior Brother is the naughty one, so he only punishes Senior Brother, not me.”

The child, lifted high into the air, was fearless and laughed heartily with the man.

“Hmph, you little rascal, always so reckless. Put your Junior Brother down at once!”

A strong, commanding voice rang out. The man was momentarily stunned, then quickly set the boy down and stood him straight. Together, they bowed in unison:

“Master!”

“Hmph, Pengju, don’t pay any mind to your Senior Brother. Come here to Master.”

At seventy-one years of age, Zhou Tong’s hair and beard were entirely white, but the affection in his eyes for his disciples had not diminished in the slightest.

“Master, this is blatant favoritism! I’m your disciple too!”

The tall man was none other than Ren Yuan, who had trained under Zhou Tong for three years.

Those three years had transformed Ren Yuan significantly.

First, his height.

Originally, in the original story, Ren Yuan was a full ten feet tall, but upon crossing time, he exchanged one-tenth of that height for peak comprehension, so now he stood at nine feet.

Even so, nine feet was still towering in the world of Water Margin.

Second, his muscles had grown more robust and powerful, as if he possessed immense strength coursing through his body.

Finally, his martial arts progressed at an astonishing speed. Whether archery, fist techniques, or blade methods, he had reached a remarkable level in just three short years.

At first, Master Zhou Tong was amazed daily by Ren Yuan’s progress.

But after so much amazement, he became accustomed to it.

It wasn’t until last year, after accepting his final disciple, that his attention shifted somewhat.

Yes, that small boy was Zhou Tong’s last disciple, Yue Fei—Yue Pengju.

“Hmph, I wouldn’t dare compare myself to you. You, Pillar of Heaven, have quite the reputation in the Jianghu. I am but an old man; how can I match you?”

Spending so much time with Ren Yuan, Zhou Tong had learned to tease him gently.

“Master, I know you want some Immortal’s Drunkenness wine. Don’t worry, it’s not so easy to brew. Whenever I make some, I always bring you the first bottle.”

Over the past year, with Zhou Tong’s permission, Ren Yuan had gradually begun roaming the Jianghu. His exceptional martial arts and generous nature, combined with his imposing stature, had earned him the nickname “Pillar of Heaven” among the brothers of the underworld. A poem praising him circulated:

Fists strike three provinces and six prefectures,
Blade guards both banks of the Yellow River.
Renowned across half the sky,
Pillar of Heaven, Ren Yuan!

After all these years, he had finally earned the nickname “Pillar of Heaven.”

Ren Yuan found it puzzling—did Jianghu folks really give nicknames without the consent of the person?

Besides, why was he called “Pillar of Heaven” in the poem, but it said his fame shook half the sky? Shouldn’t that be “Mighty Thunder”?

But there was no turning back; by the time he learned of the poem, his name had already spread too far.

Well then, Pillar Brother, I’ll borrow your name for now.

Ren Yuan even mused that once he became the leader of Liangshan, maybe before battle he could shout: “Liangshan men, transform!”

Besides this, Ren Yuan had taken up brewing over the past year.

Though not a professional, he had some knowledge of modern brewing techniques. After many failures, he finally succeeded in producing a strong liquor.

Most wines in the Water Margin world were low in alcohol content, after all.

Ren Yuan named his creation “Immortal’s Drunkenness.” It was not yet mass-produced but would become an important source of income in the future.

“Hmph, you do have a conscience.”

Zhou Tong was not truly upset with Ren Yuan. Over the years, the master and disciple had developed a tacit understanding.

“Master, please don’t scold Senior Brother, he’s very skilled.”

Yue Fei, nestled in his master’s arms, tugged gently at Zhou Tong’s beard, pleading on behalf of his senior brother.

“Alright, alright, if you say no scolding, then no scolding.”

Zhou Tong doted on Yue Fei like a grandson and granted his requests without hesitation.

“By the way, you rascal, it’s about time for you to graduate. I have prepared a gift for you.”

“Ah? Master, are you sending me away?”

Ren Yuan knew his graduation day was near, but when it truly came, he felt reluctant.

An emptiness, as if something was missing.

“What do you mean sending you away? Who would kick out a disciple who’s mastered his skills and still freeloads at Master’s home? Besides, you little monkey, do you think I can get rid of you?”

Zhou Tong gave him a stern look. This disciple was gifted, filial, and carried himself with the chivalry of a hero. Every master would wish for such a disciple.

Only this boy always joked and teased, never serious.

But as Zhou Tong grew older, he found this easygoing relationship quite agreeable. Even after accepting his final disciple Yue Fei, his fondness for Ren Yuan remained unchanged.

“Oh, that’s good. I thought you were going to kick me out.”

Ren Yuan shrugged.

As long as he wasn’t expelled, nothing else mattered.

“Hmph, you little monkey, one day I will kick you out of the sect!”

“When will that be?”

“Someday!”

“Eh, Master and Senior Brother are quarrelling again.”

Young Yue Fei didn’t quite understand yet. Sometimes affection is shown through teasing and scolding.

That was the relationship between Ren Yuan and Zhou Tong.

“Here, this three-pointed, double-edged blade is yours from now on, for your journeys in the Jianghu.”

Several attendants brought over a long wooden box. Zhou Tong opened it and took out a brand-new, gleaming silver three-pointed, double-edged blade, its cold light dazzling.

“This blade is twelve feet long, with a nine-foot handle, forged from refined steel, incredibly sturdy. The three-foot blade edge was crafted from a piece of celestial cold iron I obtained in my youth, hammered countless times by a master. Two dragons coil around the guard. The blade weighs eighty-one jin. It was tempered thirty-six times with silver water, shining brilliantly. When fighting, its silver gleam distracts foes. How do you like it? Are you satisfied?”

Satisfied? More than satisfied!

Ren Yuan gazed at the blade, which resembled almost exactly the three-pointed, double-edged blade from the TV series “Lotus Lantern.” He felt indescribable love for it.

He took the treasured blade from his master’s hands and swung it a few times like a windmill. Perfect weight!

“Senior Brother is so handsome!”

Young Yue Fei clapped wildly. Though he didn’t know what “handsome” meant, if Senior Brother said it, then everyone was brothers.

Then Ren Yuan plucked a hair from his head and let it fall naturally. The moment it touched the blade, the hair silently split into two!

Sharp enough to split a single hair!

“Disciple thanks Master for the divine weapon!”

Ren Yuan bowed deeply to Zhou Tong. Though the Zhou family was wealthy, forging such a blade surely cost a fortune.

“Enough with the flattery. Take the blade and be gone soon.”

Zhou Tong waved his hand and turned away without looking.

“Remember, when you roam the Jianghu, do not commit evil deeds, oppress the innocent, or betray your country. Otherwise…”

“Otherwise, Master need not intervene. I shall take my own life in shame!”

“Get lost! Don’t speak such ill-omened words! Go out there and make a name for yourself. Then you won’t have wasted my three years of teaching!”

With that, Zhou Tong turned and walked away with Yue Fei, leaving Ren Yuan standing alone.

“Master, you’re crying.”

Yue Fei’s innocent voice came softly through the wind.

“No, the snow is too heavy and got into Master’s eyes…”